Call for Abstracts – Groundwater Symposium

Groundwater Symposium

Hotel Aloft Kathmandu Thamel, Nepal | March 18, 2024

Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development and Management of Groundwater

Issued on November 22, 2023

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Groundwater, which constitutes about one-third of the global freshwater supply, is the most abundant source of freshwater on Earth. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible,” states that “Groundwater accounts for approximately 99% of all liquid freshwater on Earth. It already provides half of the volume of water withdrawn for domestic use by the global population, including drinking water for the vast majority of the rural population who do not get their water delivered to them via public or private supply systems, and around 25% of all water withdrawn for irrigation.” The hidden freshwater resource serves diverse human needs, provides regulatory services by buffering aquifers to regulate quantity and quality, supports ecosystems, and holds cultural value. However, with climate change and other stressors impacting surface water availability, there is a growing concern about increasing dependence and exploitation of groundwater resources.

Globally, Asia is at the forefront of groundwater extraction, accounting for around 69% (657 km³/year) of the world’s yearly groundwater withdrawal (959 km³/year). In regions like South Asia and Southeast Asia, over-extraction of groundwater is a growing concern. Factors such as water-intensive agriculture, encroachment on recharge areas, and poorly managed land use contribute to the depletion of groundwater levels and deterioration of water quality. South Asia, a global leader in groundwater abstraction with over 30 million private irrigation wells and tube wells, alone accounts for about 34% of global groundwater usage. Unfortunately, unregulated irrigation pumping in the region is causing a rapid decline in water levels. Similarly, Southeast Asia encounters extensive challenges such as over-exploitation and pollution of city aquifers and extraction rates surpassing recharge, resulting in declining levels. Salinity intrusion, sanitation-related contamination, and inadequate water quality data are prevalent issues in the region, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable groundwater management.

The groundwater symposium is organized annually in Nepal as a national symposium since 2009. It has become a well-established platform for academicians, scholars, researchers, policymakers, planners, and industrialists to discuss research, technology, policy, and management of groundwater. The 12^th edition of the Groundwater Symposium will extend beyond its national scope to encompass regional and international perspectives.

THEMATIC AREAS

• Groundwater exploration, utilization and management
• Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System application for characterization of subsurface groundwater flow
• Socio-economic and environmental impacts on groundwater quality and quantity
• Spring water revival and springshed management
• Conflict in groundwater management
• Groundwater-surface water interaction
• Groundwater and climate change
• Groundwater-energy-food nexus
• Groundwater recharge and dynamics modelling
• Groundwater and SDGs
• Groundwater policy, regulations and governance
• Water security and groundwater nexus

ABSTRACT AND POSTER SUBMISSION

• Extended abstract: 2-6 pages (including tables, figures, pictures, references) for oral and poster presentation. Please refer and follow the template provided along with the call.
• Poster size: 36’’ width X 48’’ length (Portrait)
• Deadline for submission: January 31, 2024
• Online submission link: https://www.creew.org.np/apply-groundwater-symposium/
• Acceptance notification: March 5, 2024

REGISTRATION

• Nepal: NPR 3,000 for individual participant, NPR 5,000 for institution participant
• SAARC countries: USD 75
• International: USD 120
• Registration fee for presenter will be waived.

50% waiver in registration fees available for students*

*Students must present the scanned student identity card with clear validity date

• Please be informed that the Registration Fee must be paid as specified in full online. Participants are kindly requested to contact the Symposium Secretariat for the Payment Procedure.

Please direct your inquiry, if any, to the symposium secretary Ms. Ayushmita Pokhrel at info@creew.org.np or call +977-1-4511918.

EVENT DATE
Date: March 18, 2024
Venue: Aloft Kathmandu Thamel, Nepal [Sankalan Hall]